Benthos condition in the coral reefs of Santa Lucia tourist resort area (northeast Cuba) before and after
the pass of Hurricane Ike was determined using biological indicators of AGRRA methodology. A great reef
crest decline was evident from the first sampling. Fore reef presented better conditions than the crest,
mainly eastward and toward greater depths. Low values of coral density, live cover and coral recruitment,
as well as high macroalgal cover, were the most critical variables. Incidence of both microbial disease and
coral bleaching was low. The most important causes for reef decline are related to wave action, bottom
relief and scarcity of herbivores. Apparently, the benthos in these reefs did not suffer serious impacts after
Hurricane Ike.